Mr. Dyer is there also, quiet and meditative, with his elbows on his knees, and his face is buried in his hands; Meacham occasionally recruiting the sage-brush embers in the stove with fresh supplies of fuel.
A rap on the tent-pole. "Come in," and a fine-looking, middle-aged officer enters. Once glance at his face, and we see plainly that he has come for a _growl_.
After the compliments are pa.s.sed, Col. Tom Wright--for it was he--begins by saying that he wanted to growl at some one, and he had selected our camp as the place most likely to furnish him with a victim. "All right, colonel, pitch in," says Meacham.
The doctor just then remembered that he had a call to make on Gen. Canby.
"Well," says the gallant colonel, "why don"t you leave here, and give us a chance at those Modocs? We don"t want to lie here all spring and summer, and not have a chance at them. Now you know we don"t like this delay, and we can"t say a word to Gen. Canby about it. I think you ought to leave, and let us clean them out."
I detailed the conversation had in Gen. Gilliam"s marquee, and also expressed some doubts on the subject.
"Pshaw!" says Col. Wright. "I will bet two thousand dollars that Lieut.
Eagan"s company and mine can whip the Modocs in _fifteen minutes_ after we get into position. Yes, I"ll put the money up,--I mean it."
"Well, my dear colonel, you might just say to Gen. Canby that he can send off the other part of the army, about nine hundred men besides your company and Eagan"s. As to our leaving we have a right to be here, and we are under the control of Gen. Canby; and as to moving on the enemy, Gen.
Canby _is not ready until the Warm Spring Indians arrive_. I am of the opinion that no peace can be made, and that you will have an opportunity to try it on with the Modoc chief." The colonel bade me "good-night,"
saying that he felt better now, since he had his growl out.
It is morning, and our soldier-cook has deserted us, and deserted the army too. It seems to be now pretty well understood that no peace can be made with the Modocs, and several of the boys have deserted. Those who have _met_ the Modocs have no desire to meet them _again_. Those who have not, are demoralized by the reports that others gave; and since the common soldiers serve for pay, and have not much hope of promotion, they are not so warlike as the brave officers, who have their stars to win on the field of battle. Money won"t hire a cook, hence we must cook for ourselves.
Well, all right; Dyer and I have done that kind of thing before this, and we can again.
While we are preparing breakfast a couple of soldiers come about the fire.
"I say, capt"n, have you give it up tryin" to make peace with them Injuns there?"
"Don"t know; why?" we reply.
"Well, "cause why them boys as has been in there says as how it"s nearly litenin"; them Modocs don"t give a fellow any chance; we don"t want any Modoc, we don"t."
"Sorry for you, boys; we are doing all we can to save you, but the pressure is too heavy; guess you"ll have to go in and bring them out."
Squatting down before the fire, one of them, in a low voice, says, "Mr.
Commissioner, us boys are all your fre"ns,--_we are_; wish them fellers that wants them Modocs whipped so bad would come down and do it theirselves; don"t you? Have you tried everything you can to make peace?"
"Yes, my good fellow, we have exhausted every honorable means, and we cannot succeed."
"Bro. Meacham, where did you learn to make bread? Why, this is splendid.
Bro. Dyer, did you make this coffee? It"s delicious." So spoke our good doctor at breakfast.
"Good-morning, Mr. Meacham," said Gen. Canby, after breakfast. "Who is cooking for your mess now?"
"Co-pi, ni-ka,--myself."
"What does Mr. Dyer do?"
"He washes the dishes."
"Ha, ha! What does the doctor do?"
"Why, he asks the blessing."
The general laughed heartily, and as the doctor approached, said to him, "Doctor, you must not throw off on Bro. Dyer."
Explanations were made, and these venerable, dignified men enjoyed that little joke more heartily than I had ever seen either of them, on any other occasion.
CHAPTER XXIX.
UNDER A WOMAN"S HAT--THE LAST APPEAL.
The commission had on all occasions expressed willingness to meet the Modocs on fair terms, saying to them, "Bring all your men, all armed, if you wish to; station them one hundred yards from the council tent. We will place a company of equal number within one hundred yards on the other side. Then you chiefs and head men can meet our commission at the council tent and talk." To this and all other offers they objected. The commission and the general also were now convinced that no meeting could be had on fair terms. The authorities at Washington were again informed of this fact. Dr. Thomas was a man of great perseverance, and had great faith in the power of prayer. He spent hours alone in the rocks, near our camp, praying. He would often repeat: "One man with faith is stronger than an hundred with interest only." Few men have ever lived so constantly in religious practice as did Dr. Thomas. The Modocs, having been foiled in their attempt to entrap the commission, sent for Riddle, saying they "wanted his advice." Riddle went, under instructions, and talked with them. Nothing new was elicited. Riddle again warned the commission of the danger of meeting the Modocs unless fully armed for defence. He confirmed the opinion already expressed, that _Captain Jack_, was in favor of peace; but that he was in the hands of bad men, who might compel him to do what was against his judgment. Gen. Canby, always acknowledged as having power to control the commission, nevertheless conceded to it the management of the councils. He never presided, and seldom gave an opinion, unless something was said in which he could not concur; but _no action was had_, or _message sent_, or _other business ever done, without his advice and approval_.
On the morning of April 10th I left head-quarters, to visit Boyle"s camp, at the southern end of the lake, leaving Dr. Thomas in charge of the affairs of the Peace Commission, little dreaming that action of so great importance would be had during my absence. After visiting Maj. Boyle"s, I returned by Col. Mason"s camp, and there learned, through the signal telegraph, that a delegation of Modocs was at the commission tent, proposing another meeting. I arrived at the head-quarters late in the evening, and then learned from Dr. Thomas that an agreement had been made to meet five unarmed Indians at the council tent on the following day at noon. I demurred to the arrangement, saying, "that it was unsafe." The doctor was rejoicing that "G.o.d had done a wonderful work in the Modoc camp." The Modoc messengers, to arrange for this unfortunate council, were not insensible to the fact of the doctor"s religious faith, and they represented to him that "_they had changed their hearts; that G.o.d had put a new fire in them, and they were ashamed of their bad hearts_. They now wanted to make peace. They were willing to surrender. They only wanted the commission to _prove their faith in the Modocs by coming out to meet them unarmed_."
This hypocrisy caught the doctor. He believed them; and, after a consultation with Gen. Canby, the compact was made. The doctor was shocked at my remark, that "G.o.d has not been in the Modoc camp this winter. If we go we will not return alive." Such was my opinion, and I gave it unhesitatingly. The night, though a long one, wore away, and the morning of _Good Friday, April 11th, 1873_, found our party at an early breakfast.
While we were yet at the morning meal Boston Charley came in. As the doctor arose from his breakfast this imp of the d----, from the Modoc camp, sat down in the very seat from which the doctor had arisen, and ate his breakfast from the _same plate_, drank from the _same cup_, the doctor had used.
While Boston was eating he observed me changing boots, putting on old ones. I shall not soon forget the curious twinkle of this demon"s eyes, when he said, "What for you take "em off new boots? Why for you no wear "em new boots?" he examined them carefully, inquired the price of them, and again said, "Meacham, why for you no wear "em new boots?" The villain was anxious for me to wear a pair of twenty-dollar boots instead of my old worn-out ones. I understood what that fellow meant, and I did not give him an opportunity to wear my new boots.
From Indian testimony it is evident that in the Modoc camp an excited council had been held on the morning of the 11th. Captain Jack, Scar-face Charley, and a few others had opposed the a.s.sa.s.sination, Jack declaring _that it should not be done_. Unfortunately, he was in the minority. The majority ruled, and to compel the chief to acquiesce, the murderous crew gathered around him, and, placing a woman"s hat upon his head, and throwing a shawl over his shoulders, they pushed him down on the rocks, taunting him with cowardice, calling him "a woman, white-face squaw;"
saying that his heart was changed; that he went back on his own words (referring to majority rule, which he had inst.i.tuted); that he was no longer a Modoc, the white man had stolen his heart. Now, in view of the record this man had made as a military captain, his courage or ability can never be doubted, and yet he could not withstand this impeachment of his manhood. Dashing the hat and shawl aside, and springing to his feet, he shouted, "I am a Modoc. I am your chief. It shall be done if it costs every drop of blood in my heart. But hear me, all my people,--this day"s work will cost the life of every Modoc brave; we will not live to see it ended."
When he had once a.s.sented he was bloodthirsty, and with coolness planned for the consummation of this terrible tragedy. He a.s.serted his right to kill Gen. Canby, selecting Ellen"s man as his a.s.sistant.
Contention ensued among the braves as to who should be allowed to share in this intended ma.s.sacre.
Meacham was next disposed of.
Schonchin, being next in rank to Captain Jack, won the _prize_; glad he did, for he was a _poor shot_ with a pistol. Hooker Jim was named as his second in this _ex parte_ affair; sorry for that, for he was a marksman, and had he kept the place a.s.signed him, some one else would have written this narrative.
Dr. Thomas, the "Sunday Doctor," was the next in order. There were several fellows ambitious for the honor, for so they esteemed it. Boston Charley and Bogus were successful. These two men had accepted from the doctor"s hands, on the day preceding, each a suit of new clothes.
To Shacknasty Jim and Barncho was a.s.signed the duty of despatching Mr.
Dyer. Black Jim and Slo-lux were to a.s.sa.s.sinate Gen. Gilliam. When Riddle"s name was called up, Scar-face Charley, who had declared this "whole thing to be an outrage _unworthy_ of the Modocs," positively refused to take any part, arose and gave notice that he would defend Riddle and his wife, and that if either were killed he would avenge their death.
These _preliminaries_ being arranged, Barncho and Slo-lux were sent out before daylight, with seven or eight rifles, to secrete themselves near the council tent.
The manner of the a.s.sault was discussed, and the plan of shooting from ambush was urged but abandoned, because it would have prevented those who were to conduct the pretended council, from sharing in the honors to come from that b.l.o.o.d.y scene. The details completed, Captain Jack said to his sister Mary, and to Scar-face Charley, "It is all over. I feel ashamed of what I am doing. I did not think I would ever agree to do this thing."
When this tragedy was planned, another was also agreed upon. Curly-haired Doctor and Curly Jack, and a c.u.mbatwas, were to decoy Col. Mason _from his camp, and kill him also_.
Bogus Charley had come into our camp the evening previous, and remained until the next morning. He was there to ascertain whether any steps were taken to prevent the consummation of the h.e.l.lish design. Boston"s visit was for the same purpose. It is almost past belief that these two men, who had received at the hands of Gen. Canby, Gen. Gilliam, and the Peace Commission, so many presents of clothing and supplies, could have planned and executed so treacherous a deed of blood. Bogus was the especial favorite of Generals Canby and Gilliam; indeed, they recognized him as an interpreter instead of Riddle and wife. He was better treated by them than any other of the Modoc messengers. It is a.s.serted, most positively, that _Bogus was the man who first proposed the a.s.sa.s.sination of Canby and the Peace Commissioners_.
The morning wears away and the commissioner seems loath to start out. The Modoc messengers are urgent, and point to the council tent, saying, that "Captain Jack and four men waiting now." Look at our signal station half way up the mountain side. The men with field-gla.s.ses are scanning the Lava Beds. Gen. Canby has given orders that a strict watch be kept on the council tent and the trail leading to it from the Modoc camp. The officers of the signal corps were there when the morning broke. They have been faithful to the orders to watch. The sun is mounting the sky. It is almost half way across the blue arch. Bogus and Boston are impatient; saying that "Captain Jack, him get tired waiting." Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas have been in consultation. Riddle is uneasy and restless, and as Canby and Thomas walk slowly to Gen. Gilliam"s head-quarters, he says to Meacham, "Do not go. I think you will all be killed if you do."--"Then come to Gen.
Gilliam"s tent and say so there," suggests Meacham.
The commissioners approach the tent. Gen. Canby meets Col. Green and one or two other officers, stopping at the tent door, and continued talking, while the remainder of the commissioners enter. Gen. Gilliam is reclining on his bed, he is sick this morning, _very sick_. Gen. Canby remarks from the tent door; "Go on, gentlemen, don"t wait for me; I will be in presently."